Two-way actuating cylinder piston assembly

ABSTRACT

A cylinder piston assembly includes a central body that has a cylindrical shape and a cavity therein. The body further has axially aligned openings spaced at opposed end portions of the body. A dual-headed piston rod that has monolithically formed and coextensive first and second end portions is slidably positional through the openings of the body respectively. The piston rod has a monolithically formed central portion intercalated within the cavity wherein an outer surface of the central portion is nested with the body and restricted from moving beyond the openings. The assembly further includes a mechanism for automatically and axially displacing the first and second end portions based upon an externally-controlled stimulus applied to the cylinder piston assembly wherein the displacing mechanism is in fluid communication with the cavity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to a cylinder piston assembly and, more particularly, to a two-way actuating cylinder piston assembly for actuating a plurality of independent external devices.

2. Prior Art

Bi-directional hydraulic cylinders are now widely used in various devices to provide a resistance to an element of the device that is exerting a force on the cylinder in order to perform work. However, the conventional bi-directional hydraulic cylinder used in these devices has the following disadvantages.

Firstly, when a piston of the hydraulic cylinder is forced to move within the hydraulic cylinder from one side to another side, the side of the hydraulic cylinder from which the piston is moved away cannot be immediately supplied with hydraulic oil in the hydraulic cylinder; thus, when the element exerts a pulling force immediately following exerting a pushing force on the hydraulic cylinder, at the beginning of the pulling operation, such an element will experience a period of operation in which there is substantially no resistance from the hydraulic cylinder, which causes the operation of the device to be not smooth.

Secondly, since the resistance obtainable from the conventional hydraulic cylinder is constant, the versatility of the conventional hydraulic cylinder is limited. The resistance of the conventional hydraulic cylinder cannot be adjusted to meet the different requirements of different devices; for example, an aircraft may require a heavy resistance and an automobile may require a light resistance from the hydraulic cylinder.

Accordingly, a need remains for a two-way actuating cylinder piston assembly in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a cylinder assembly that is versatile in its application, highly efficient, and easy to operate. Instead of being limited to a single action, such a dual-piston cylinder design can operate two different items simultaneously to expand the power and capabilities of equipment. The cylinder body can be stationary or mobile, depending on the specific application of the cylinder. Such a bi-directional cylinder is advantageously versatile enough to be used in automotive, farming, aircraft, and heavy construction equipment applications. The cylinder assembly is strong, reliable, safe, and cost-effective.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a two-way actuating cylinder piston assembly. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a bidirectional cylinder piston assembly for actuating a plurality of independent external devices.

The cylinder piston assembly includes a central body that has a substantially cylindrical shape and defines a cavity therein. Such a body further has a plurality of axially aligned openings oppositely spaced at opposed end portions of the body such that a continuous and rectilinear travel path is defined through the cavity from one body end portion to another body end portion.

A dual-headed piston rod that has monolithically formed and coextensive first and second end portions is slidably positional through the openings of the body respectively such that a partial longitudinal length of the piston rod can effectively be linearly displaced through the cavity. Such a piston rod has a monolithically formed central portion intercalated within the cavity wherein an outer surface of the central portion is nested with the body and effectively restricted from moving beyond the openings during operating conditions. Such a central portion is preferably provided with a diameter greater than a diameter of the first and second piston rod end portions. The first and second piston rod end portions may be provided with threaded outer surfaces for advantageously allowing a user to removably attach the piston rod to the plurality of oppositely situated external devices.

The present invention further includes a mechanism for automatically and axially displacing the first and second end portions based upon an externally-controlled stimulus applied to the cylinder piston assembly wherein the displacing mechanism is in fluid communication with the cavity. Such a displacing mechanism preferably includes a plurality of passageways monolithically formed through one of the first and second piston rod end portions. The passageways preferably extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the piston rod and branch laterally away therefrom after entering the cavity. The passageways conveniently guide and direct a catalyst from an exterior of the body into the cavity such that the catalyst becomes trapped within a selected region of the cavity.

Such a catalyst advantageously increases an internal pressure level of the cavity region such that the piston rod becomes displaced in such a manner to increase a dimension of the cavity region and thereby reduce the internal pressure towards equilibrium defined by an ambient pressure level. The cavity region is defined between the central portion and one of the body end portions respectively. Such a cavity region preferably includes one cavity region defined from a group including a cavity region defined about the first piston rod end portion and a cavity region defined about the second piston rod end portion.

It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a two-way actuating cylinder piston assembly, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2, showing the piston displaced in the opposite direction;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 6 is a partially exposed top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figures.

The assembly of this invention is referred to generally in FIGS. 1-6 by the reference numeral 10 and is intended to provide a two-way actuating cylinder piston assembly. It should be understood that the assembly 10 may be used to actuate many different types of equipment and should not be limited in use to only automobiles.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the assembly 10 includes a central body 20 that has a substantially cylindrical shape and defines a cavity 21 therein. Such a body 20 further has a plurality of axially aligned openings 22 oppositely spaced at opposed end portions 23 of the body 20 such that a continuous and rectilinear travel path is defined through the cavity 21 from one body end portion 23A to another body end portion 23B. Of course, the central body 20 and its associated cavity 21 and openings 22 may be produced in a variety of different lengths, diameters and sizes, as is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a dual-headed piston rod 30 that has monolithically formed and coextensive first 31A and second 31B end portions is slidably positional through the openings 22 of the body 20 respectively such that a partial longitudinal length of the piston rod 30 can effectively be linearly displaced through the cavity 21. Such a piston rod 30 has a monolithically formed central portion 32 intercalated within the cavity 21 wherein an outer surface 33 of the central portion 32 is nested with the body 20 and effectively restricted from moving beyond the openings 22 during operating conditions, so that the piston rod 30 advantageously remains within the cavity 21 to ensure proper functioning of the assembly 10. Such a central portion 32 is provided with a diameter greater than a diameter of the first 31A and second 31B piston rod end portions. The first 31A and second 31B piston rod end portions are provided with threaded outer surfaces 34 for advantageously allowing a user to removably attach the piston rod 30 to the plurality of oppositely situated external devices (not shown). This feature advantageously allows for improved versatility of the assembly 10 over conventional hydraulic cylinder assemblies and further improves the performance and productivity of the equipment attached thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6, the present invention further includes a mechanism 40 for automatically and axially displacing the first 31A and second 31B end portions based upon an externally-controlled stimulus applied to the cylinder piston assembly 10 wherein the displacing mechanism 40 is in fluid communication with the cavity 21. Such a displacing mechanism 40 includes a plurality of passageways 41 monolithically formed through the first piston rod end portion 31A. The passageways 41 extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the piston rod 30 and branch laterally away therefrom after entering the cavity 21. The passageways 41 conveniently guide and direct a catalyst 42 from an exterior of the body 20 into the cavity 21 such that the catalyst 42 becomes trapped within a selected region 24 of the cavity 21.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, such a catalyst 42 advantageously increases an internal pressure level of the cavity region 24 such that the piston rod 30 becomes displaced in such a manner to increase a dimension of the cavity region 24 and thereby reduce the internal pressure towards equilibrium defined by an ambient pressure level. The cavity region 24 is defined between the central portion 32 and one of the body end portions 23 respectively. Such a cavity region 24 includes one cavity region 24A defined from a group including a cavity region 24A defined about the first piston rod end portion 31A and a cavity region 24B defined about the second piston rod end portion 31B. The catalyst 42, along with the cavity regions 24A, 24B advantageously allows for smooth and even adjustment of the piston rod 30 in either direction, thus allowing the equipment to which the assembly 10 is attached to also operate more smoothly and efficiently.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. 

1. A bi-directional cylinder piston assembly for actuating a plurality of independent external devices, said cylinder piston assembly comprising: a central body having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a cavity therein, said body further having a plurality of axially aligned openings oppositely spaced at opposed end portions of said body such that a continuous and rectilinear travel path is defined through the cavity from one said body end portion to another said body end portion; a dual-headed piston rod having monolithically formed first and second end portions slidably positional through the openings of said body respectively such that a partial longitudinal length of said piston rod can be linearly displaced through the cavity, said piston rod having a monolithically formed central portion intercalated within the cavity wherein an outer surface of said central portion is nested with said body and restricted from moving beyond the openings during operating conditions; and means for automatically and axially displacing said first and second end portions based upon an externally-controlled stimulus applied to said cylinder piston assembly.
 2. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises: a plurality of passageways monolithically formed through one said first and second piston rod end portions, said passageways guiding and directing a catalyst from an exterior of said body into the cavity such that the catalyst becomes trapped within a selected region of the cavity, said catalyst increasing an internal pressure level of said cavity region such that said piston rod becomes displaced in such a manner to increase a dimension of said cavity region and thereby reduce the internal pressure towards equilibrium defined by an ambient pressure level, said cavity region being defined between said central portion and one said body end portions respectively.
 3. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 2, wherein said cavity region comprises: one cavity region defined from a group including: a cavity region defined about said first piston rod end portion and a cavity region defined about said second piston rod end portion.
 4. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 2, wherein said passageways extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said piston rod and branch laterally away therefrom after entering the cavity.
 5. The cylinder piston assembly of 1, wherein said first and second piston rod end portions are provided with threaded outer surfaces for allowing a user to removably attach said piston rod to the plurality of oppositely situated external devices.
 6. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 1, wherein said central portion is provided with a diameter greater than a diameter of said first and second piston rod end portions.
 7. A bidirectional cylinder piston assembly for actuating a plurality of independent external devices, said cylinder piston assembly comprising: a central body having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a cavity therein, said body further having a plurality of axially aligned openings oppositely spaced at opposed end portions of said body such that a continuous and rectilinear travel path is defined through the cavity from one said body end portion to another said body end portion; a dual-headed piston rod having monolithically formed first and second end portions slidably positional through the openings of said body respectively such that a partial longitudinal length of said piston rod can be linearly displaced through the cavity, said piston rod having a monolithically formed central portion intercalated within the cavity wherein an outer surface of said central portion is nested with said body and restricted from moving beyond the openings during operating conditions; and means for automatically and axially displacing said first and second end portions based upon an externally-controlled stimulus applied to said cylinder piston assembly wherein said displacing means is in fluid communication with the cavity.
 8. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 7, wherein said displacing means comprises: a plurality of passageways monolithically formed through one said first and second piston rod end portions, said passageways guiding and directing a catalyst from an exterior of said body into the cavity such that the catalyst becomes trapped within a selected region of the cavity, said catalyst increasing an internal pressure level of said cavity region such that said piston rod becomes displaced in such a manner to increase a dimension of said cavity region and thereby reduce the internal pressure towards equilibrium defined by an ambient pressure level, said cavity region being defined between said central portion and one said body end portions respectively.
 9. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 8, wherein said cavity region comprises: one cavity region defined from a group including: a cavity region defined about said first piston rod end portion and a cavity region defined about said second piston rod end portion.
 10. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 8, wherein said passageways extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said piston rod and branch laterally away therefrom after entering the cavity.
 11. The cylinder piston assembly of 7, wherein said first and second piston rod end portions are provided with threaded outer surfaces for allowing a user to removably attach said piston rod to the plurality of oppositely situated external devices.
 12. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 7, wherein said central portion is provided with a diameter greater than a diameter of said first and second piston rod end portions.
 13. A bidirectional cylinder piston assembly for actuating a plurality of independent external devices, said cylinder piston assembly comprising: a central body having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining a cavity therein, said body further having a plurality of axially aligned openings oppositely spaced at opposed end portions of said body such that a continuous and rectilinear travel path is defined through the cavity from one said body end portion to another said body end portion; a dual-headed piston rod having monolithically formed and coextensive first and second end portions slidably positional through the openings of said body respectively such that a partial longitudinal length of said piston rod can be linearly displaced through the cavity, said piston rod having a monolithically formed central portion intercalated within the cavity wherein an outer surface of said central portion is nested with said body and restricted from moving beyond the openings during operating conditions; and means for automatically and axially displacing said first and second end portions based upon an externally-controlled stimulus applied to said cylinder piston assembly wherein said displacing means is in fluid communication with the cavity.
 14. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 13, wherein said displacing means comprises: a plurality of passageways monolithically formed through one said first and second piston rod end portions, said passageways guiding and directing a catalyst from an exterior of said body into the cavity such that the catalyst becomes trapped within a selected region of the cavity, said catalyst increasing an internal pressure level of said cavity region such that said piston rod becomes displaced in such a manner to increase a dimension of said cavity region and thereby reduce the internal pressure towards equilibrium defined by an ambient pressure level, said cavity region being defined between said central portion and one said body end portions respectively.
 15. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 14, wherein said cavity region comprises: one cavity region defined from a group including: a cavity region defined about said first piston rod end portion and a cavity region defined about said second piston rod end portion.
 16. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 14, wherein said passageways extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said piston rod and branch laterally away therefrom after entering the cavity.
 17. The cylinder piston assembly of 13, wherein said first and second piston rod end portions are provided with threaded outer surfaces for allowing a user to removably attach said piston rod to the plurality of oppositely situated external devices.
 18. The cylinder piston assembly of claim 13, wherein said central portion is provided with a diameter greater than a diameter of said first and second piston rod end portions. 